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Kookoo

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#317405 12-Oct-2024 18:46
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(Apologies to the admins - it looks like trying to include .e x e in the text of the post gets it blocked. Blunt but safe, makes sense.)

 

My Lenovo Tiny had its fan on full speed and cmd consuming 30% of CPU whenever Task Manager isn't running. Which tells me I've got a cryptominer that stops whenever Task Manager is launched.

 

What I tried so far:

 

(Updated list)

 

1) Ran Bitdefender and Malwarebytes scans. Both founds signs of something, and claimed to have remedied it. 

 

2) Used System Informer to generate CSV dumps of processes before and after Task Manager to see if I can identify the difference with a vlookup. No luck - everything that runs before but not after seems to be legit.

 

3) Ran GlaryUtilities to remove the creatively named "MicrosoftMalwareProtection" from startup sequence.

 

4) Blocked cmd with a new firewall rule. This stopped the damn thing, but the code is obviously still somewhere on the my system.

 

5) Enabled Cryptomining protection in Bitdefender. Which took over managing the firewall, and of course the Bitdefender firewall didn't have the rule to block cmd, so the miner switched back on. Added cmd rule to Bitdefender firewall - it stopped again. The Cryptomining Protection in Bitdefender didn't do anything.

 

6) Downloaded and ran FARBAR. No luck.

 

Anything else I can do here besides resetting the PC?

 

 





Hello, Ground!

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xpd

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  #3296572 12-Oct-2024 18:49
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Err...  dunno how to answer that :D Probably some context would be good :D

 

 





       Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

 

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fe31nz
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  #3296790 12-Oct-2024 23:23
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Have you tried using another task manager, such as Process Hacker?

 

https://processhacker.sourceforge.io


Kookoo

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  #3296800 13-Oct-2024 00:56
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fe31nz:

 

Have you tried using another task manager, such as Process Hacker?

 

https://processhacker.sourceforge.io

 

 

Yep. Process Hacker is now System Informer (for Windows 10 and up).





Hello, Ground!



boosacnoodle
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  #3296805 13-Oct-2024 07:58
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Wipe and reinstall. Restore backups.

Linux
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  #3296810 13-Oct-2024 08:49
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boosacnoodle: Wipe and reinstall. Restore backups.

 

I would not restore from backups


networkn
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  #3296812 13-Oct-2024 08:54
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The problem you have, is if this crypto miner is there, you don't know what else is there. 

 

I'd assume that machine was compromised and I'd install from fresh (Wipe not reinstall OS over the top) and then I'd do what I'd call a cold restore, which is restoring just your data back to the machine. 

 

This way, you get a known good configuration and anything you bring over from restore will be 'dead' data and not linked to your OS and therefore, theoritically, not a threat any longer. 

 

 


gehenna
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  #3296822 13-Oct-2024 09:25
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Wipe it. It'll be quicker and more comprehensive than trying to remove specific infections.

 
 
 

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).
Aaron2222
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loceff13
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  #3296856 13-Oct-2024 11:44
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How do you think you got it in the first place, do you download alot of crypto related apps posted on forums etc?


Kookoo

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  #3297038 13-Oct-2024 21:07
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loceff13:

 

How do you think you got it in the first place, do you download alot of crypto related apps posted on forums etc?

 

 

Let my kid use the PC. Ended up with a bunch of modding utilities sourced from who knows where. Put too much trust in Bitdefender to block anything that might be harmful.





Hello, Ground!

Kookoo

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  #3297040 13-Oct-2024 21:15
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Aaron2222:

 

Nuke it from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

 

 

Problem is - it's a tiny form factor Lenovo m75q gen2, so I don't feel comfortable completely wiping it. Got to keep the Lenovo system image etc.





Hello, Ground!

lxsw20
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  #3297050 13-Oct-2024 21:29
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rebuild it and run Lenovo System update over it, you'll be fine. Long gone are the days of hunting around the internet for drivers. 


Kookoo

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  #3297069 13-Oct-2024 23:46
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This is going to be a long night... But it's the right thing to do.





Hello, Ground!

ANglEAUT
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  #3297072 14-Oct-2024 01:16
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Kookoo: ... Got to keep the Lenovo system image etc.

 

Easy enough to try & get a system image: https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/nz/en/products/desktops-and-all-in-ones/thinkcentre-m-series-desktops/thinkcentre-m75q-gen-2/downloads/order-recovery-media

 

 





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ANglEAUT
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  #3297203 14-Oct-2024 12:29
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🤣

 





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